Work set to begin on Showgrounds development

Work is set to begin on the new €500,000 development at The Showgrounds, including a new FIFA 2 Star Astro pitch, a full size grass pitch and grass training facilities.

The Astro development featuring a top of the range playing surface similar to the facility installed at Saracens Rugby Club in London, will be called The Sean Fallon Centre in honour of the late Sligo Rovers and Celtic FC legend who died earlier this year. Work will be concluded by Autumn.

Two key sponsors will be associated with the project, Sligo and Ballymote Credit Union and Finisklin-based Stiefel, a GSK company. The names of the sponsors and 'The Sean Fallon Centre' will be stitched into the playing surface fabric.

Work on the project will begin shortly and the two main contractors will be formally announced next week.

Stifel is a major employer is the North West region. The Credit Union movement has many shared qualities with Sligo Rovers, a community-owned club.

The announcement of the sponsorship deal was made at half-time during the Sligo Rovers and Molde Champions League game - Stiefel was represented by Ronan Johnston and Sligo Credit Union by local chairman Peter Tiernan and manager Barry O' Flynn.

Sligo Rovers chairman Tony Quinn said: “This new development will establish The Showgrounds as the finest League of Ireland complex in the country.

“We continue to be energised by the support of our fans and we hope the infrastructure will be an inspiration for future generations in the region.

“The foundations for this exciting phase in the club's development were put in place by those who had kept it alive in difficult times.”

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